An inspection in loco is expected to be held on Monday in the trial of two men accused of raping and killing Sinoxolo Mafevuka in Khayelitsha last year. On Wednesday, lawyers for the two men had many questions about the lighting and conditions of the communal toilets in Khayelitsha where the 19-year-old was found. Advocates Mornay Calitz and Shaid Bruinders, for Xolisa and Athabile Mafilika, took turns to cross-examine Constable […]
One of four men initially arrested for raping and killing teenager Franziska Blöchliger is expected to appear in the Western Cape High Court on Wednesday. Howard Oliver, Jonathan Jonas, and two others originally faced charges of murder, rape and robbery for allegedly beating, raping, and strangling the 16-year-old in Tokai Forest on March 7, 2016. Blöchliger was found naked and on her knees, with her neck twisted into an unnatural […]
Some progress has been made in reducing overcrowding at Pollsmoor’s awaiting trial facility but there is much more to be done, says Sonke Gender Justice in a response to the Department of Correctional Services’ action plan on problems at the prison. The action plan was ordered by the Western Cape High Court after Sonke, represented by Lawyers for Human Rights, took the government and the head of Pollsmoor’s remand facility […]
It’s back to the drawing board for government, which has received a bloody nose in the Western Cape High Court where its nuclear procurement processes to date have been declared unlawful and set aside. Judge Lee Bozalek on Wednesday ruled in favour of the case brought by Earthlife Africa Johannesburg and the Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (Safcei) against government. In his ruling, he declared government’s attempts to secure […]
By Melanie Sauer The inmates of the Pollsmoor Correctional Centre have seen a turnaround of the previously “unlawful” living conditions, in just a matter of months. But upon VOC News inspection of the prison yesterday, it is clear the Department of Justice and Correctional Services has a long way to go to implement these improvements, as ordered by the Western Cape High Court in June 2016. The Acting Minister of […]
By Melanie Sauer While some dagga supporters welcome the High Court’s ruling to legalize the private use of cannabis, professionals in the industry believe that it could have significant implications for young people. On Friday, the Western Cape High Court declared it an infringement to ban the use of dagga by adults in their private homes. The new verdict ruled that individuals would now be able to possess, cultivate and […]
The Western Cape High Court has dismissed the Democratic Alliance's bid to have the swearing in of President Jacob Zuma's new Cabinet ministers interdicted. Judge Owen Rogers ruled that the DA did not present a strong enough case based on facts for the court to intervene in the President's prerogative to select his own Cabinet. The DA's advocate Anton Katz tried to argue that the party's motion of confidence in […]
A class action case calling for the recognition of Muslim marriages has been postponed to the 28th August. The matter was meant to be heard at the Western Cape high court on Monday morning. The Women’s Legal Centre launched the application to compel the South African Government to give recognition to Muslim personal law, including Muslim marriages. The centre’s director Seeham Samai says three judges have now been appointed to […]
On Monday, the Western Cape High court will hear arguments from the Women’s Legal Centre, the State, and interested parties on whether the failure to recognise Muslim marriages discriminates against women. The failure to recognise Muslim marriages has been the subject of a more than a decade law reform process. The WLC launched its application to compel the South African Government to give recognition to Muslim personal law, including Muslim […]
VOC became the first Muslim radio station in South Africa when a special events license was granted to the station in Ramadan/January 1995. Subsequent temporary broadcast licenses were granted, permitting the station to broadcast for 24 hours.
